§ Mr. ReedTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received about the reduction in value of the assisted international travel scheme; and if she will make a statement. [6176]
§ Mr. BattleI have approved funding of £2.1 million for 1997–98 for the DTI-assisted international travel scheme which is administered for DTI by the British Standards Institution. This is £100,000 less than the scheme's 1996–97 budget and reflects spend under the scheme in that financial year.
The aim of the scheme is to facilitate the attendance of key UK business delegates at overseas standards development meetings through a contribution to the cost of their air fares. It has always been the Government's view that business, as the main beneficiary of standards, should pay the lion's share of costs. The allowances are calculated using the return economy air fares in the "OAG World Airways Supplement" because this is understood to be the only publication that lists such fares on a worldwide basis.
658WMy officials became aware earlier this year that these fares were higher than return economy air fares generally available in the marketplace; and that, consequently, the level of the allowance was out of line with the scheme's objectives. After careful consideration with BSI, the Department therefore decided, in order to ensure that the allowance reflected the scheme's objectives and also to obtain better value for money for the taxpayer, that it should reduce the contribution to a maximum of 65 per cent. of the quoted return economy air fare from London to the relevant overseas airport, nearest to where the standards development meeting is held. This was given effect from 1 July 1997. About 4,500 claims a year are made under AITS. The President has received four representations, in writing, about this reduction.
I know how much the AITS is appreciated by British business. It helps business to secure European and international standards which are supportive of UK competitiveness. Although the administration of the scheme is kept under regular review by both DTI and BSI, we have for the time being no plans for further changes.